Chicken pox scars are usually a blatant proof that you have previously suffered from this skin condition. This article will highlight everything you need to know about chicken pox scarring. We’ll also include several pictures to inspire your imagination.

Chicken Pox Scarring

Although chances of their formation are minimal, chicken pox scarring normally manifests itself as small pock marks on the skin. Chicken pox scars usually result from secondary bacterial infection as can result from frequent scratching of the skin. Deeper and larger chicken pox spots are however more likely to leave a scar.

On the positive note however, most chicken pox scars will fade gradually and will hardly be noticeable once they have had some time to heal. You may however want to consider one or more of the treatment options detailed in a subsequent section of this article if the extend and prominence of the scarring bothers you.

Chicken Pox Scars Pictures

Pictures are a great source of inspiration and we wouldn’t do this guide justice without having several shots showing chicken pox scarring looks like. So here we go with a couple chicken pox scars pictures.

Chickenpox 1, 2

Chicken Pox Scars on Face

When occurring on the face, chicken pox scars are particularly noticeable. Although they mostly heal and fade away with time, chicken pox scars on face can benefit from numerous treatment approaches. The choice of the suitable treatment approach and combination of techniques will vary depending on the size of the scars and their depth.

Your first consideration should be topical scar creams which are available over-the-counter under such brand names as Kelo-cote and Mederma, but if they don’t seem to help you may want to talk to a dermatologist about other options.

Chicken Pox Scars Treatment- How to Treat Chicken Pox Scars

Chicken pox scars heal on their own with time, but some severe cases of scarring may leave you wondering if there is any chicken pox scars treatment available.

The size and depth of the chicken pox scars are important considerations when deciding how to treat chicken pox scars.

Topical scar Creams

Scar creams are one of the most popular ways to get rid of skin scars. There are many creams on the market today, but one that directly claims to be suitable for chicken pox scars treatment is kelo-cote.

This quick-drying, silicone-based cream is recommended by the International Advisory Panel on Scar Management. Generally speaking, most scar creams require continuous usage for a few weeks before a noticeable improvement in the appearance of the scars can be achieved.

Laser therapy: A talk on how to treat chicken pox scars (or any other type of scar for that matter) is hardly complete nowadays without a mention of laser treatment.

The principle behind the traditional ablative laser treatment is the removal of the uppermost layer of the skin in the site of scarring using laser light in order to facilitate the growth of new, healthy skin but there are newer laser devices that target the dermis directly where they stimulate the production of collagen.

Talk to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon about the suitable laser therapy for your specific case.

Dermabrasion: Chicken pox scars can also benefit from dermabrasion. This is mechanical removal of scars using a specially made ablative tool in order to allow the growth of new healthy skin. A newer form of dermabrasion called microdermabrasion can also help to remove chicken pox scars.

Surgical scar revision: This refers to surgical removal of scars. There are numerous surgical techniques that are normally used including:

Punch excision: The scar tissue is literally excised (cut out) using a cookie-cutter like equipment and the wound closed using fine sutures that are then removed in a few days to reduce the risk of developing stitch tracks. This is done under local anesthesia.

Punch grafting: This is also a variation of punch excision whereby the hole left behind after punching out the scar is filled with tissues extracted from the normal skin, usually from the area of skin behind the ears.

Punch elevation: This is also done under local anesthesia and entails punching the scar out, but unlike punch excision, the scar is elevated up to the level of the surrounding skin or slightly higher. Punch elevations treatment may be followed up with a few dermabrasion treatment sessions especially if the scar tissue is raised above the level of the surrounding skin.

Subcision: Larger and more severe chicken pox scars are usually treated using a technique known as subcision whereby a needle is inserted under the scar to break up the thick fibrous tissue.

As a result, the overlying tissue floats to the surface as Nelson L. Novick, MD, a New York Dermatologic Surgeon explains. This can then be followed by medical microneedling to further enhance the look of the skin in the area of scarring.

Filler injection: Dermal fillers are often used to raise chicken pox scars to the same level as the surrounding skin

Chemical peels: chemical peels can also help to improve the appearance of chicken pox scars but according to Dr. Nelson L. Novick, they are only helpful for superficial scars.

Chicken Pox Scars in Adults

Chicken pox is a common childhood skin condition that according to Richard Whitely, a medical professor at University of Alabama affects 90 percent of unvaccinated people before the age of 15.

The Kid Health website however notes that anyone, including adults can as well suffer from chicken pox. In adults, chicken pox tends to leave darker scars.

Chicken pox scars in adults can be treated using topical creams such as kelo-cote. More severe cases of chicken pox scarring in adults can benefit from dermabrasion, laser therapy, or surgical revision. Talk to your doctor or a dermatologist about these treatment options.

Chicken Pox Scars on Forehead

If occurring on the forehead, chicken pox scars can be particularly noticeable and can affect your self-esteem and self-confidence. Appropriate treatment for such scar will vary depending on their size, depth and extent of scarring.

Dermabrasion, skin needling, laser treatment and surgical revision (for example excision, grafting etc) and chemical peels are some of the options you may want to discuss with a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist.